Holding clip for pressurized fluid spray container



June 17, 1969 c. F. JONAS HOLDING CLIP FOR PRESSURIZED FLUID SPRAYCONTAINER Filed JuI Ly 24, 1967 Rm MN o u WP ME 0 N E R A L C UnitedStates Patent U.S. Cl. 222402.13 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThis spring metal holding clip for aerosol type containers has agenerally U-shaped hooked end on the extremity of the substantiallyright angle bent upper end portion that is made to fit snugly intheannularly recessed top of the metallic Spray container hooking under anannular shoulder to resist upward displacement, a plastic cap which fitsclosely around the top portion of the container having a slot on oneside diametrically opposite the opening spray nozzle that forms a partof an integral depressible central plunger part of the cap, the mainbody portion of the spring clip projecting through this slot downwardlyalongside the wall of the container, so that after the spring clip hasbeen hooked into the annularly recessed top of the container, theplastic cap can be assembled on the container over the main body portionof the clip upwardly into place and pressed down, the cap then servingto hold the clip in place on the container, and vice versa. With theclip in this position relative to the spray nozzle the user, who forexample may carry the container, filled with dog repellent underpressure, in his shirt pocket or coat pocket, Where it is ready forinstant use if a dog attacks him, can quickly slip the container out ofthe pocket and, by feel, use the clip as an indicator in directing thespray from the nozzle into the face of the onrushing animal by pressingthe plunger part of the cap down, The clip, therefore, besides servingto hold the container in place in the pocket, also serves as a spraydirection indicator and prevents accidental removal and possible loss ofthe cap with the spra nozzle in it.

This invention relates to a holding spring clip for a pressurized fluidspray container of the type commonly referred to as aerosol containers.

Regardless of what fluid is to be sprayed from such a container it isobviously important for the operator when he or she picks up thecontainer to spray liquid therefrom to be certain which way the nozzleis directed. This becomes particularly important where the container isfilled with a dog repellent for personal protection from dog attack. Inthat case the container is generally carried in a pocket on a shirtfront or coat front and held by a spring clip as a precaution againstloss without interfering with its instant removal when needed, but it isdoubly important that the operator know the instant the container isremoved that he can direct the spray in the right direction. It is,therefore, the principal object of my invention to incorporate a holdingspring clip on the upper end of the container in diametrically opposedrelation to the spray nozzle so that the user in one motion of removingthe container for use can, by feel of the clip, direct the nozzlecorrectly for instant protection from dog attack.

The clip is so designed that the end portion that is anchored to thecontainer by entry of a hooked extremity in an annular groove in theupper end thereof behind an annular shoulder, serves by extensionthrough a slot in the cap in which the plunger with the spray nozzlethereon is provided to hold the cap in assembled relation to thecontainer, while the cap cooperates with the clip in holding it in placeon the container, the clip meanwhile by 3,450,313 Patented June 17, 1969virtue of its extending from the cap on the dimetrically opposite sidefrom the nozzle opening serving not only to hold the container in placein the pocket but also as a spray direction indicator.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a pressurized fluid spraycontainer incorporating the holding clip of my invention serving as aspray direction indicator, FIG. 1 showing the front of the containerwith the spray nozzle, which is in diametrically opposed relation to thespring clip on the back, and FIG. 2 showing the spring clip on the back;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the container showing the springclip of my invention applied thereto;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the line 44 of FIG. 3 showing how thecap and spring clip cooperate so that the spring clip holds the cap onand the cap holds the spring clip in place;

FIG. 5 shows how the spring clip is assembled through the slot in thecap, and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how the cap is adapted to beapplied to the top of the container after the hook end of the springclip has been inserted under the annular shoulder in the recess upperend of the container.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding partsthroughout the views.

Referring first to FIG. 4, the numeral 7 designates a pocket sizeaerosol type metallic container for fluid 8 to be sprayed under pressurefrom nozzle 9 when the plungor 10, that is flexibly connected to the capas indicated at 11, on the same side thereof as spray nozzle 9, isdepressed in relation to cap 12 to depress the hollow stem 13 of theshutoff valve 14 against the action of the return spring 15 and thusallow some of the fluid 8 to 'be sprayed from the nozzle 9. The fluidflows upwardly through a flexible rubber or plastic tube 16 into plastichousing 17 under pressure of the compressed air in the head space 18above the liquid 8, and passes through a number of radial holes 19 atthe base of the stem 13 and out through the stem 13 and an L-shapedpassage 20 in plunger 10 to be sprayed from the nozzle 9.

The metallic top 21 of the container is dished and has its outer rimportion 22 spun over the enlarged rim 23 of the metallic container,thereby defining an annular internal shoulder 24 to which reference willbe made later when describing the spring clip. The central portion 25 ofthe top 21 is embossed to cylindrical form and has the rim of thehousing 17, previously refererd to, clinched therein, compressing arubber gasket 26, both to form a seal against leakage of pressure fromthe compressed air chamber 18 and to form a seat for valve 14 againstleakage of liquid around the stem 13 when the valve 14 is closed. Thejoint at 22-23 also defines an annular external shoulder 27 on the topof the container over which the inwardly inclined flexible lower edgeportion 28 of the plastic cap 12 fits to form a friction hold for thecap. The annular groove 29 defined in the recessed top 21 together withthe annular internal shoulder 24 previously mentioned are utilized incarrying out my invention as will soon appear, but no invention isclaimed in any of the details thus far described, except to'the extentto which the novel metallic spring clip 30 of my invention cooperatestherewith in the novel manner hereinafter described.

The spring clip 30 for holding the container 7 securely in place in ashirt pocket or coat pocket has a transversely bent upper end potrion31, the extremity of which is bent into a U-shaped hook 32 that isadapted to be snapped under the annular shoulder 24 on the top 21 whenthe hooked end 32 is entered in the annular groove 29, as shown in FIGS.4 and 6. with the outwardly curved end potrion 33 of the clip pressedagainst the side wall of the container, as best seen in FIG. 4. Theample arcuate intermediate portion 34 leaves an ample generallytriangular shaped space 35 between the clip 30 and the side wall of thecontainer 7 at the top portion for maneuvering the ring shaped lower endportion 36 of the cap 12 below the slot 37 into telescoping relationshipto the upper end portion of the container as illustrated in FIG. 6. Inassembling the cap 12 and clip 30 on the container 7, the clip can beapplied to the container first and then the cap can be assembled overthe clip and onto the container, or the lower end portion 33 of the clipis first inserted through the slot 37 as shown in FIG. 5, and then theclip is applied to the container by snapping the hooked end 32 under theshoulder 24 in the annular groove 29, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, and,finally, the cap 12, which at that juncture is in the position of FIG.6, is applied over the top rim 22 snapping the inturned edge potrion 28under the shoulder 27 as it appears in FIG. 4. Now, inasmuch as the slot37 is on the diametrically opposite side of the cap from the nozzle 9,it makes no difference in what patricular position of rotation withrespect to container 7 the clip 30 and cap 12 happen to be applied tothe container; the clip 30 will always serve its three functions;namely:

(1) To hold the container in place in the pocket of the user;

(2) To serve usually just by feel as a spray direction indicator,although in some cases the user may depend more upon sight when usingthe clip as a direction indicator, and

(3) To serve to prevent accidental removal and possible loss of the capand spray nozzle.

In operation, the user, who may for example carry the container filledwith a dog repellent fluid under pressure in his shirt pocket or coatpocket, where it is ready for instant use if a dog attacks him, canquickly slip the container out of the pocket and, by feel, use the clipas a direction indicator in directing the spray from the nozzle into theface of the onrushing animal by pressing the plunger down. However, thecontainers may contain other fluids under pressure where the Spring clipis not necessarily used to hold the container in a pocket, but where itsfunction as a spray direction indicator is still greatly appreciated.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understading ofthe objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims havebeen drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In an aerosol type container comprising a container for fluid underair pressure, a cap on the top of said container having a spray nozzleon one lateral side thereof communicating through a shut-off valve withthe fluid in the container, said cap being free to turn relative to saidcontainer, and a manually operable plunger element in said cap adaptedto be depressed for opening said valve, the improvement which consistsof a substantially vertical Spring clip adapted for holding saidcontainer on a support, said clip applied to the cap and the top portionof said container on the lateral side thereof diametrically opposite thespray nozzle said clip being free to turn relative to said containerwith said cap whereby said clip serves also as a spray directionindicator in any position of rotation of said cap.

2. An aerosol type container as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcontainer has a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim ofwhich there is an annular internal shoulder, said clip having atransversely extending upper end portion connected with said cap andprojecting over said rim, said upper end portion having thereon adownwardly projecing hook portion disposed in the recess on top with aradially outwardly extending extremity that engages under said annularinternal shoulder maintai g he c ip and hook bo h. und r sp g en- .4sion so the clip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of thecontainer while the extremity of the hook is spring pressed equallyoutwardly under the shoulder.

3. An aerosol type container as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcontainer has a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim ofwhich there is a annular internal shoulder, said clip having atransevrsely extending upper end portion projecting over said rim, saidupper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portiondisposed in the recess on top with a radially outwardly extendingextremity that engages under said annular internal shoulder maintainingthe clip and hook both under spring tension so the clip is springpressed inwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity ofthe hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder, saidcap having a lower end portion telescoping on the rim of said container,said lower end portion having an opening provided therein through whichthe transversely extending upper end portion of said spring clip extendsfor connection with said cap.

4. In an aerosol type container comprising a pocket size cointainer forfluid under air pressure, a cap on the top of said container having aspray nozzle on one lateral side thereof communicating through ashut-off valve with the fluid in the container, and a manually operableelement for opening said valve, the improvement which consists of asubstantially vertical spring clip for holding said container in anoperators pocket, said clip applied to the top portion of said containeron the lateral side thereof diametrically opposite the spray nozzle,whereby said clip serves also as a spray direction indicator, saidcontainer having a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rimof which there is an annular internal shoulder, said clip having atransvesrely extending upper end portion projecting over said rim, saidupper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portiondisposed in the recess on top with a radially outwardly extendingextremity that engages under said annular internal shoulder maintainingthe clip and hook both under spring tension so the clip is springpressed inwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity ofthe hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder, saidcontainer being of cylindrical form and said rim being circular in formand said cap having a circular lower end portion telescoping on the rimof said container with freedom to turn relative thereto, said caps lowerend portion having an opening provided therein through which thetransversely extending upper end portion of said spring clip extends,said clip being free to turn relative to said container with said cap,the opening in said cap being spaced above the lower edge portion ofsaid caps lower end portion, whereby said clip retains said cap inconnected relation to said container should it he slipped off.

5. An aerosol type container as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcontainer has a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim ofwhich there is an annular internal shoulder, said recessed top includinga substantially cylindrical hollow central boss portion in which theshut-off valve is disposed, leaving an annular recess around it betweenit and said outer rim, said clip having a transversely extending upperend portion connected with said cap and projecting over said rim, saidupper end portion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portionfitting closely in said annular recess with a radially outwardlyextending extremity that is snapped into place under said annularinternal shoulder maintaining the clip and hook both under springtension so the clip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of thecontainer while the extremity of the hook is spring pressed equallyoutwardly under the shoulder.

6. A aerosol type container as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidcontainer has a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rim ofwhich there is an annular internal shoulder, said recessed top includinga substani l y ylindrical ho low central boss po tion in which theshut-01f valve is disposed, leaving an annular recess around it betweenit and said outer rim, said clip having a transversely extending upperend portion projecting over said rim, said upper end portion havingthereon a downwardly projecting hook portion fitting closely in saidannular recess with a radially outwardly extending extremity that issnapped into place under said annular internal shoulder maintaining theclip and hook both under spring tension so the clip is spring pressedinwardly toward the side of the container while the extremity of thehook is spring pressed equally outwardly under the shoulder, said caphaving a lower end portion telescoping on the rim of said container,said lower end portion having an opening providing therein through whichthe transversely extending upper end portion of said spring clip extendsfor connection with said cap.

7. In an aerosol type container comprising a pocket size container forfluid under air pressure, a cap on the top of said container having aspray nozzle on one lateral side thereof communicating through ashut-off valve with the fluid in the container, and a manually operableelement for opening said valve, the improvement which consists of asubstantially vertical spring clip for holding said container in anoperators pocket, said clip applied to the top portion of said containeron the lateral side thereof diametrically opposite the spray nozzle,whereby said clip serves also as a spray direction indicator, saidcontainer having a recessed top on the substantially vertical outer rimof which there is an annular internal shoulder, said recessed topincluding a substantially cylindrical hollow central boss portion inwhich the shut-off valve is disposed, leaving an annular recess aroundit between it and said outer rim, said clip having a transverselyextending upper end portion projecting over said rim, said upper endportion having thereon a downwardly projecting hook portion fittingclosely in said annular recess With a radially outwardly extendingextremity that is snapped into place under said annular internalshoulder maintaining the clip and hook both under spring tension so theclip is spring pressed inwardly toward the side of the container whilethe extremity of the hook is spring pressed equally outwardly under theshoulder, said cap having a lower end portion telescoping on the outerrim of said container and having an opening provided therein throughwhich the transversely extending upper end portion of said spring clipextends, the opening in said cap being spaced above the lower edgeportion of said caps lower end portion, whereby said clip retains saidcap in connected relation to said container should it be slipped off.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,768,775 10/1956 Houser 224-2,838,148 6/1958 Fox-Williams et al. 2,903,959 9/ 1959 Wagner et al.3,151,740 10/1964 Simon 220-27 X 3,206,081 9/1965 Sagarin 222402.133,252,679 5/1966 Bell.

FOREIGN PATENTS 24,667 1908 Great Britain.

1,041,399 5/1953 France.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 222

